HCR 297

R-355  Page 1 of 2
2026
No. R-355. House concurrent resolution honoring Vermont Fish and Wildlife
Department Director of Fisheries Eric Palmer and extending future best wishes.
                                         (H.C.R.297)
   Offered by Representatives Pritchard of Pawlet, Austin of Colchester, Branagan of
Georgia, Canfield of Fair Haven, Casey of Hubbardton, Chapin of East Montpelier,
Charlton of Chester, Demar of Enosburgh, Dickinson of St. Albans Town, Dolgin of St.
Johnsbury, Goslant of Northfield, Harvey of Castleton, Hoyt of Hartford, Keyser of
Rutland City, Kimbell of Woodstock, Labor of Morgan, Laroche of Franklin, Lipsky of
Stowe, Maguire of Rutland City, Masland of Thetford, McCoy of Poultney, Morgan, L.
of Milton, Morgan, M. of Milton, Morris of Springfield, Oliver of Sheldon, Parsons of
Newbury, Pinsonault of Dorset, Powers of Waterford, Satcowitz of Randolph, Sheldon of
Middlebury, Southworth of Walden, Sweeney of Shelburne, and Tagliavia of Corinth
   Offered by Senators Bongartz, Collamore, Ingalls, Norris, and Weeks
   Whereas, University of Minnesota–educated biologist Eric Palmer has epitomized
leadership excellence at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (DFW) through
significant contributions to the improvement of fisheries management in Vermont and the
Northeast and in his role as a superb supervisor who encourages staff innovation and
personally fulfilling professional advancement, and
   Whereas, Eric Palmer began his DFW career on January 10, 1994, as a fisheries
biologist, and, in 2000, a superb job performance and demonstrated leadership ability led
to his appointment as DFW’s Director of Fisheries, and
   Whereas, as Director of Fisheries, Eric Palmer has centered his personnel focus on
collaboration and empowering and supporting his staff to pursue individual strengths and
interests to foster meaningful careers, while advancing DFW’s mission and objectives,
and
   Whereas, not only does the staff appreciate Eric Palmer’s leadership, but his
cooperative and team-based managerial approach has resulted in successful conservation
projects, including enabling the positive outcome of a lake trout restoration initiative in
Lake Champlain, fostering the effectiveness of the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon
Commission, developing great results with a strategic wood addition habitat project, and
creating a strong and mutually advantageous system of angler communication and
outreach, and
   Whereas, in 2026, Eric Palmer, among whose personal milestones as DFW’s Director
of Fisheries was his election and outstanding service as president of the Atlantic
International Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, is concluding his stellar tenure
at DFW, now therefore be it
   Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
   That the General Assembly honors Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Director of
Fisheries Eric Palmer and extends future best wishes, and be it further
                                                                             VT LEG #389915 v.1
R-355  Page 2 of 2
2026
   Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Eric Palmer.
                                                                            VT LEG #389915 v.1